RANKIN -- Shannon Williams easily admits this year’s version of the Rankin Red Devils are far different from last season.

There are some missing pieces from last year’s district champions, including 3,000-yard rusher Cory Norwood along with Tate Teague and Ty Self, but one big piece that remains is Dalton Michum.

Michum managed an offense from the quarterback position a year ago that had one of six-man football’s best running games, but he also could throw as well. Michum threw for more than 1,100 yards and 15 touchdowns last year.

This season as the Red Devils readjust to losing some key pieces and living up to high expectations after a 9-3 season, it will be Michum that will be called upon to do a number of things this season.

“He’s our top athlete, and in our offense we don’t throw the ball much, and right now one of our top athletes is pitching and blocking,” Williams said. “We’ve got to get the ball in his hands to be more to be successful.”

Williams is not likely to center the entire offense around Michum because that’s not the scheme that the Red Devils use, but with Michum’s ability to both run and throw he could be a dangerous weapon in six-man football.

Michum threw a total of 87 passes in 12 games last season, throwing just two interceptions, and even he knows that Rankin’s success depends on how they run the ball.

It was because of a running game that at times put up more than 300 yards a game the Red Devils were sometimes able to impose their will on teams even in the wide open six-man game.

“That’s the biggest deal for us because we’ve got a good line, and great coaches that teach us so well on blocking,” said Michum. “I still think that’s the biggest deal.”

Michum, though, may do more than just passing this season. A year ago he didn’t run very much because other players did that, but this season he might be doing more as the Red Devils work to solidify their running backs. Aaron Castillo and JR Rodriguez could also see time at the spot this season, but it will likely be Michum that helps make the offense go.

Michum, though, is ready for whatever the coaches may throw at him and what opponents will bring.

“I know I’ll have to do a little more moving around,” Michum said.

Both Michum and Williams said that what makes the offense go is the Red Devils’ ability to block and with two of the squad’s three offensive lineman returning this season, that makes Michum’s job and the rest of the running backs job that much easier.

“Cory Norwood was Cory Norwood last year because we had a fantastic offensive line in front of him,” Williams said.

What makes the move to different positions on the offensive side of the ball easier for Michum is the knowledge of the system that Williams put in place three years ago.

Michum was a sophomore when Williams brought his run-first philosophy to a team that had been using a number of spread formations in their offensive arsenal.

Three years later, Michum knows the offense “like the front and back of my hand” and said that familiarity is not only important for him but also the rest of the team.

“We’ve been doing (the plays) for so long we know them a lot better now,” Michum said. “Everybody on the team pretty much knows every play, and the six we’ve got on offense they’ve got the right idea and they know what needs to happen.”